Former Contract Employee of Radford Army Ammunition Plant Charged with Sexual Assault

Former Contract Employee of Radford Army Ammunition Plant Charged with Sexual Assault

ROANOKE, VA—A former contract employee at the Radford Army Ammunition Plant has been indicted by a federal grand jury sitting in the Western District of Virginia in Roanoke on sexual assault charges.

Joshua Linkous, 39, of Dublin, Va., has been charged with one count of aggravated sexual abuse by force, three counts of abusive sexual contact and five counts of attempted aggravated sexual abuse by force.

According to the indictment, Linkous is alleged to have sexually assaulted AV1 [Adult Victim #1] on July 27, 2014 through the penetration of the genital opening by hand or finger. Linkous is also accused of attempting to sexually assault AV1 in March or April of 2014 and again in early 2013. All of these actions took place within the boundaries of the Radford Army Ammunition Plant.

In addition, Linkous is charged with attempting to sexually assault AV2 [Adult Victim #2] in or around May 2014 and again in or around June 2014. Linkous is also charged with abusive sexual contact against AV2 for the June 2014 incident. All of these actions took place within the boundaries of the Radford Army Ammunition Plant.

The indictment also alleges that between August 2010 and December 2011, Linkous attempted to sexually assault AV3 [Adult Victim #3]. The defendant is also charged with abusive sexual contact for the incident between August 2010 and December 2011.

If convicted, Linkous faces a maximum possible penalty of life in prison.

The investigation of the case was conducted by the United States Army’s Criminal Investigation Division, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service. Assistant United States Attorneys Erin Kulpa and Laura Rottenborn will prosecute the case for the United States.

A Grand Jury Indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. The defendant is entitled to a fair trial with the burden on the government to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.